Application

University entrance qualification

A German or international university entrance qualification (HZB) as required by Section 18 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG).

If you did not obtain your university entrance qualification in German, you will need to provide proof of your German language skills in addition to your university entrance qualification (more on this under “Submit documents”).

Artistic aptitude

Proof of special artistic aptitude through the assessment, which must be completed in advance, is a prerequisite for admission.

Please note the application information and the information on the special artistic aptitude test, also known as the portfolio test.

1 February to 23:59 on 30 April 2024
Application and aptitude test, part 01 (pre-selection)

• Digital application to take part in the special artistic aptitude assessment
• Upload 7 - 10 samples of your artistic work. You can change and update your details at any time up to 30 April 2024.
• If you wish to do so, use our HAWK platform and visit mappe.hawk.de

By 13 May 2024

• Assessment Committee reviews the work samples you have uploaded.
• Sending of the results of the pre-selection (part 01 of the assessment)
• Invitation to the second part of the qualifying assessment at the HAWK campus

22 May 2024
Aptitude test, part 02, at the HAWK campus in Hildesheim

• The practical test consists of two design tasks, each lasting approximately two and a half hours.
• There will also be a 10-minute interview, enabling us to get to know you and hear about your ambitions.
• Bring your portfolio (15-20 works) with you, as it will be discussed during the interview. Your portfolio can also include work that you have already submitted digitally. You will be able to take your folder home with you on the same day.

5 June 2024

• Practical part of the test incl. interview. On-site at the Faculty of Design in Hildesheim. Please bring your portfolio with you.

By 16 June 2024

• Proof of special artistic aptitude or points certificate sent out.

By 15 July 2024

• Online application for a place on the degree programme. See "Apply online".

1 August to 23:59 on 30 October 2024
Application and aptitude test, part 01 (pre-selection)

• Digital application to take part in the special artistic aptitude assessment.
• For the first part of the test (pre-selection), upload 7 - 10 samples of your artistic work. You can change and update your details at any time up to 30 October 2024.
• If you wish to do so, use our HAWK platform and visit mappe.hawk.de

By 13 November 2024

• Assessment Committee evaluates the work samples you have uploaded.
• Results of the pre-selection (part 01 of the test) sent out
• Invitations issued for the second part of the aptitude test at the HAWK campus.

26 November 2024
Aptitude test, part 02, at the HAWK campus in Hildesheim

• The practical test consists of two design tasks, each lasting approximately two and a half hours.
• There will also be a 10-minute interview, enabling us to get to know you and hear about your ambitions.
• Bring your portfolio (15-20 works) with you, as it will be discussed during the interview. Your portfolio can also include work that you have already submitted digitally. You will be able to take your folder home with you on the same day.

By 12 December 2024

• Proof of special artistic aptitude or points certificate sent out.

By 15 January 2025

• Online application for a place on the degree programme. See "Apply online".

Applying through the HISinOne portal

Applications should be submitted online through the HAWK HISinOne application portal (in German). The portal closes at 23:59 on the final day of the application period.

Enter the required application and enrolment information in the HISinOne portal.

Information sheet

You will find step-by-step instructions in the online application information sheet (in German).

Applicants with a German university entrance qualification can upload their application documents to the HISinOne portal as part of the online application process.

Applicants with an international university entrance qualification should use the "Application for Admission" PDF file, which can be downloaded from the HISinOne portal after completing the online application. This Application for Admission must be sent to HAWK by post, together with the required documents.

Mandatory documents: all applicants

• Proof of university entrance qualification
• CV in tabular form, including a passport photograph
• Proof of special artistic aptitude

Additional documents with regard to international university entrance qualifications

• Application for Admission (for a place on the degree programme), which can be retrieved from the HISinOne portal after completing the online application

Translation of the university entrance qualification: If your university entrance qualification is not in German, you must submit:

• a certified copy of the original qualification; and
• a sworn translation of the qualification in English or German

Proof of German language competence: If your university entrance qualification was not acquired in German, please submit one of the following proofs of German language proficiency:

• Level 3 TestDaF issued by the TestDaF Institute
• DSH (German Language Test for University Entrance) Level 1
• Goethe Certificate C2
• telc certificate in German C1 University
• DSD (German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs) Level 2

If you do not yet have sufficient proficiency in German or are unsure whether your language skills are sufficient, please consult the International applicants page.

Additional documents for specific cases

• Certificate of exmatriculation (if you have previously studied elsewhere)
• Proof of vocational training (if applicable)
• Certification of military service, civilian service or voluntary service (if applicable)
• Explanation in writing of your motivation for studying (for second degree applicants)
• Copy of passport and residence permit (if you do not hold German citizenship. Copies do not need to be certified)
• Evidence of other criteria to be considered

Application for advanced semesters

• Records of achievement to enable you to be assigned to the appropriate level

The Design degree programme is admission-restricted. This means that if there are more applicants than places available on the programme, admission will be decided on the basis of the selection criteria.

The overview of selection criteria (in German) gives an indication of the scores that have been sufficient in previous years.

Communication of results
Successful applicants will be sent a written letter of admission.

By enrolling, you accept your place on the programme. To do so, proceed as follows:

1. Letter of admission

Applicants with a valid application will be sent a letter of admission by post. The letter of admission can also be viewed as a PDF on the HAWK HISinOne portal.

Your letter of admission will outline the enrolment process and specify two deadlines you will need to meet.

2. Apply for enrolment online

If you wish to take up your place, the first thing you need to do once you have received your letter of admission is apply to enrol online via the HISinOne portal – by the first deadline set out in your letter of admission.

3. Apply for enrolment

Once you have completed the online enrolment process, you will be able to retrieve your "Application for Enrolment" PDF from the portal. Sign the application and send it by post to HAWK, together with the documents specified in the application – by the second deadline set out in your letter of admission.

Important: If you do not enrol, your place will be allocated to someone else!